Diaper protector and retainer



July 4, 1950 M. l. BELLUM DIAPER PROTECTOR AND RETAINER Filed June 23, 1948 Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE DIAPER PROTECTOR AND RETAINER Mabel I. Bellum, Sarasota, Fla.-

Application June23, 1948, Serial No. 34,595

2 Claims. (01. 12s--2s7) This invention relates to diapers and covers or The object of my invention is to provide such a device that will scientifically meet the requirements of first offering the most comfort to the infant; second, arranging the diaper in the best fashion to absorb the fluid and confine it and other matter to a small area, and retain the said diaper in that position until it can be attended to and replaced; third, furnishing an outer protector that will prevent the egress of fluid to the greatest extent possible, so that it will be directed to the absorbent action of, the whole inner'diaper-body, avoiding dripping down the legs, or contacting other clothing or linens; fourth, preventing the dislodgement or unfolding of the inner diaper-body after once being properly disposed in situ; fifth, preventing the shifting of either the inner diaper-body or the exterior protector relatively; sixth, to avoid any undue pressure upon the body of the infantat any time, and apply such fastening pressure as may be a necessity of any diaper or diaper-device in a carefully devised manner not to be perceptible'to the infant, or make any visible mark; seventh, to enable inspection of the condition of the inner diaper-body without disturbance of thesame or of the exterior protector.

With these and other minor objects in view, my invention consists in the novel construction of exterior diaper protector, and in the combination thereof with a diaper adapted to be arranged and fitted therein in a form and manner to cooperate therewith in the accomplishment of the stated objects.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which'like reference nu.- merals designate like parts in the several views: Figure 1 is a plan view of the exterior diaper protector embodying my invention, seen from its inner side; I Figure 2 is an exactly similar view with the di-'- aper body inserted in the protector, with its ends projecting beyond said protector, ready 'to be folded over upon itself within the confines of the protector; I

Figure 3 is a similar viewuof the'sama'with I 2 the said projecting ends folded over, and ready to be applied to the body of the infant;

Figure 4 is a much enlarged cross-section of one end of the device, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.. i

In constructing my invention, I first cut a rectangular sheet of translucent fiuidproof material I, thin and very pliable, of oblong form, and substantially uniform width throughout, and uncolored. It is of a size determined by what is requisite for enclosing within it both a diaper folded as hereinafter described, to comprise quite a numberof folds of material, with consequent thickness, and the body portion of an average infant.

' At each end of the sheet 1 I fold oversaid sheet upon itself inwardly in a fairly wide fold 2, to

' leave a smooth edge 3, and secure said folds by stitching 4, close to the smooth edge 3, leaving the inner edge of the fold free; all for reasons which will appear in the further development of this specification. Each side of the sheet I I also fold over inwardly in a very narrow fold 5, leaving likewise smooth outer edge 6, and secure said fold 5 by stitching I, close to the inner edge 8 of said fold 5, to leave no free edge whatever onthese sides. In making the side fold 5, I

introduce five radial folds 9 at a point on each side of the sheet I, midway-of the sheet longitudinally; the median one of the five on each side intersecting themedian line of the sheet, with the others evenly spaced apart; the said five folds beginning at the smooth edge 6, widening inwardly and vanishing at their inner ends. These radial-folds 9 are stitched at the edges 6,

and unstitched at their inner ends; it is immaterial whether they are stitched by the same stitching 1 that binds the edges 5, or by additional stitching as well, since they will be further secured by certain reinforcing strips, to be shortly described hereinafter.

' On the inner face of the sheet I, at each end, just inside of the free edge of the wide fold 2, I aflix double thickness lateral strips l0, extending from one side edge of the sheet I to the other, and made by folding'over a portion of the same material as the sheet I, to form a smooth edge II, and a double edge l2, secured by close stitching l3-.' The double strip 10 is secured to the sheet I only at the side edges of said sheet, leaving the saicl'strips unattached and free or open throughout, except at their ends; they are'secured with their smooth edges ll away from the folds '2, andtheir stitched double edges next to the said folds 2, by the side stitching 1 primarily.

'domplish this doubling and stitching :the ma- Upon the inside of the sheet I, at each end, and at each side thereof, in line with the wide folds 8, I aliix short double straps M and I5. The straps I l are made of elastic material, and the straps H: of non-elastic material; the first kind being at one end of the sheet I, and the latter kind at the opposite end. They are preferably about the same width as the fold 2, for reasons which will appear hereinafter, and are secured primarily by the side-stitching Land have ball and socket fasteners l6, one on each strap M, and two on each strap 15, spread apart.

At the following six places upon the inside a shdr-t distance, and a similar distance or -oorners, they reinforce the attachment of the cross-strips 1'0 and the straps l4 and fi5; they reinforce the edge of the sheet I to withstand the strain of such strips and straps, :and "they 'eit'en'd down the side edge far'enou'gh' to hold firinly and keep that dge from tearing. At the centre they hold the radial f01ds=9,fa'nd re inforce the middle of the protecton and extend mm the median line o'niboth sides' to c'overa adequate distance of protection. "-Coming now'to the inner diaper body, -I employ preferably adiaper of the general size :and

shape of an extra long towel, that is, rectan'gu- 'lar primarily, 'lorig'ated, oblong, :made of ab- 'sorbentand soft material, such as usually chosen for diapers, of light color which'sl'lowswet stains,

".ev'eri' thr'ough the protector :this being transpar- 'ent. As shown in the idrawirfgsysiticonsists of -:a '1, 3 sheet [8, which is'foldedfirsta'cros's its ffacefrom 'end to end almost whollyfrto make :it1double' for inost of its il'ength, while reducing :that length 'Then' each sid'eof and ofsixfo'lds or layers rfor inost of its "length. This diaper thus 'ifolded, zis'ilaid on tthezinside rs'ur- "face of the ext'eri'or protector, :as-eshow-ninFigure 2, with its'ends inserted under the lateral strips ts and projecting beyond the said rprotector at both ends thereof; not n'ecessaiiily projecting equal distances Ebeyond the same. By

folding over these-projecting ends of the diaper,

the .same "is enclosed wholly within an-e area' of the protector, :as .shown'ein Figure 3. It lbeing essential that the same thin pliable fiuid-proof material-be used for'the lateral strips $120, feeterial to enable using it for an element-sustaining m'uch strain. "The ifold :2 alsopermits using the outer' straps l 4,- =15.

Itwill thus be noted that Iwronn :ce'rtaii-n zones or divisions of 'relat'iv'e strength and isturdiness and resistance in the outer body or protector coyer'of thedevice. First, at top and bottom, orithe two opposed ends, I, as-stated above, fold ov'er the sheet upon itself, in awid'eflfold. Thisinakes two lateral edge sections thatiare not merely doubled in strength against strains or tearing or ripping, but manifold-increased by so doing. Second, each side zone is' also folded 'over Ion a thinfold .to reinforce the- 'sa'id :side "portions.

Third, where the end and side folds meet at the four corners, said corners are also manifoldly increased in sturdiness by folding over one of said folds on the other. Fourth, all these folds are stitched through. Fifth, just below the corner fold-on folds, the cross strips, braces, and retainers Ill are inserted in the side-folds and stitched in there, for further strength (as Well as other additional functions) at each end. Sixth, at each longitudinally median line, at each side of centre, are stitched the reinforcing strips 11, which make a centre zone of strength. Seventh, like reinforcing strips ill, at each of the four "corners. The centre zones also are doubly stitched, once through the side folds, and at direct centres through both fold and reinforcement. Itwill also be noted, that this entire system of zones of relative strength and resistance to rip-and tear, leaves a complete smoothness of exterior surface and that the folds are inward to ward the interior, with any tendency toward roughness ibein'g on the inside, where the absorptiveinterior body icushions'the flesh of the infant against contact with them. "The-exterio "is :im- .iportant to keep'smooth, since'there -"is of coarse nocushion on it, and it might in many casesrub badlylonthe rest of :the body'of thechild'atsome points. For this reason furthermore-thefolds at all edges :are designed to :make smooth those points,-'w'here otherwise the nature of the waterproofmateriahwould mean the existence of cutting edges, aandthe folds thereare "inward hecause 'if outward they might not only cutgbut would .be "liable to catch and tear, which they are not likely :to do if lying against a soft internal cushion.

The'operation of the inventionand the purpose-of itsvarious elements will-not be difiicult to comprehend from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompany- --ing drawings (and the following sstatementlthereof. In the position shownin Figure 3,-the.device is now readyrfor application to its-functions. It is placed under the infant, or the latteris laid \or "seated thereon, and the ends of the-exterioriprotector brought-up to the childis waist, with the ends containing the non-elastic straps Iain front, and the -elastic straps in the rear. This is the preferable position, as it is foundeasier to fasten the device this way; butas both ends-are ,practically interchangeable, little harm if any, is done by this procedure .being reversed. Usually more of the projection of the diaper ends beyond the protector ends in fitting =the -cliapeninside 'the protector, is to be left at whatever ischosen as the front of the device so as toarrange the greatest substance or folds and thickness --at .the front, for obvious efficiency, and .as shown .in Figure 2, this is done by directing this thicknessto the end carrying the non-elastic straps l5, which is treatedas thefront; which arrangement leaves twelve folds at that part and six folds at the back. The protector is then fastened by placing the fastening elements of the straps l4 into connection with the registering elements of "the straps l5; either the first-or the second of these latter beingchosen,"according to how tightly it is desired tohave the diaper' fit the-"child, and of course much depending upon its size. As the lateral strips l'llihold the diaper in =position 'f-rom either lateral or longitudinal shifting within the protector, and as saidxprotector'iholds it inhpla'c'e on thezbody, it is not necessary toihave th'edevice as tight as otherwise. In addition, the diaper-lean beplaced the protectoritig'htly or loo'selyilonigitudin'allv, and when folded over the strips In as described is thereby clamped in such stretched or loose condition. Since many children are more or less active, restless, rompish preceding sleep and during play, this enables the mother or nurse to adjust the diaper both on the strips l and by the straps I I and IE, to fit the child better.

The strips in being folded with the smooth edge inward, and the double edge stitched firmly down together on the side next the fold 2, the diaper is thus folded over a stiffer and more durable edge, which holds its shape better, and also the folded edge of the diaper protects against contact of that stiffer edge with any part of the body. The reinforcement strip l I on top of the stitched side fold, prevents the lateral strip H] from being torn off or loosened under the repeated strains of service. The fold 2 beingstitched close to the end of the protector, makes that end firm, while said fold'is not stitched at its free end, which might make a tendency for it to break off, as it would weaken the sheet there, under the pull of' the straps I4 or 15. It will be noticed that there is no stitching whatever throughout the entirety of the protector, except at its extreme edges, and there is thus no avenue for leakage of the protector body even after considerable term of service; the stitching of the cross-strips In of course does not enter the protector. The straps I4 and I5 being in line with the fold 2 of said protector.

exert their pull on this strengthened end of the protector, in fact it is practically as though one strap were connected strongly to the other as a species of integrality. It will also be noticed that by this construction, the straps l4 and [5 do not pull on the cross-strips I0 to bind them and the diaper upon the flesh of the child, but contrarily said strips in are loose enough to receive the diaper beneath them lightly, while the straps l4 and I5 .are located out of line with said strips Ill and in continuing line with the end portion above them, as stated, thus relieving said strips I0 accordingly.

The reinforcements l l at these ends, and those at-the middle, strengthen the edges just where 1 they would be most likely to tear if not so protected, while leaving the rest of the side edges of the protector just sufficiently sustained by the narrow side fold 5, and adapted to adjust themselves to the plumper portions of the body of the child and not bind it thereat. The radial folds 9, where the central part of the diaper and protector fit under the infant, adjust that essential and usually vulnerable leakage point with closer contact, while spreading out the other portions of the diaper relatively, where more room is required for form fitting.

By reason of the many folds and thickness of the diaper due to the manner in which the protector and its strips l0 and other structural features adjust and fit it to the child, among them the location of the strips lo a slight distance away from the ends, the diaper when folded over those strips upon itself and upon the protector, will just extend to and cover the edges of the protector and thoroughly protect the person of the wearer from contact with such edges. All the seams are inward, the reinforcements are inside, and this complete coverage by the diaper follows the same protective plan throughout. Holding the diaper in this multifold form against detachment, slipping, unfolding, its substance is measurably confined to the space of origin of the fluids demanding it, and such fluids are held and absorbed more and more into the folded fabric of the diaper, instead of dripping down the legs or elsewhere. This not only concerns the comfort and disposition of the infant, its cleanliness and sanitary condition, the avoidance of undue rashes and irritation,'but it also protects the surrounding garments, linens, of the child, its parents or servants, guests and others, against soiling and damage, until such time as the child's condition is discovered, and attention or replaceinent given it.

As the protector in my invention is made of translucent material, even casual inspection of the child reveals the condition, bad or good, and it is the easy work of just a few moments to remove the diaper portion from the protector, insert another, and fasten the clasps, with any other detail attention needed.

I am aware, as I stated in the preamble hereof, that diaper covers have been made before, and I do not claim broadly this idea; and I am also aware that ball and socket fasteners have been used for years in all sorts of garments, including these covers. but my invention is independent of any special kind of fastener. My own invention, as I have fully described it, accomplishes the objects hereinbefore outlined, which are not achieved by any other existent device; this only do I claim, as described herein, with any modifications or improvements properly falling within the purview of my invention and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A diaper device, protector, and retainer, consisting of an elongated rectangular sheet of thin pliable fluid-proof material, of substantially uniform width throughout, provided with a plurality of zones of sturdy reinforcing sections of the same material whereby a fine soft smooth light weight material'for the said sheet may be employed and yet withstand the strains of repeated use; said sections being made andformed as follows: wide folds at each end of said sheet folded over upon itself, and equally fluid-proof, and folded upon and toward the inside of the sheet and finished device, to prevent an unfolded edge from cutting and the folded edge from cutting, catching, tearing, and sewed by a line of stitching to act as such reinforcement; very narrow folds at each side of the sheet throughout its length, stitched down likewise on the inside of the sheet, leaving its outer surface smooth and free from edgedanger, said side fold-sections being also, at the four corners of the sheet, folded in upon and with the wide end folds for making four especial reinforcement zones at said corners; central side reinforcement zones at the medium line of the sheet at each side thereof; a pair of extra brace and diaper-retainer strips, one at each end of the sheet, below and closely adjacent to the endfold reinforcements to act as double reinforcements of both ends, and being formed of doubled material of the same fiuidproof character, and fastened to said sheet at each end of each strip, at each side of said sheet, leaving the main portion of each open and unstitched thereto for receiving and retaining adjustably a diaper-body of the length of the sheet, said extra strips lying on the inner surface of the said sheet; a pair of fastening strips at one end of the sheet, lying in the double corner end and side reinforcement folds where they join, and secured within said folds by the same stitching that united them to the sheet; a pair of elastic fastening strips similarly secured at the other end of the said sheet within the said double corner reinforcement folds a 'disseas i'na terial cushioncomprising a long rectangular I sheet io'lded upon itself laterally in a form to encase' andcover the entire inside surface of tile fluid-proof sheet, including the inwardly folded reinforcement sections and keep them all from rough contact with the skin and body of the: infantw'earer, and by said rectangular, uniform width, construction and arrangement of both'outersheet and soft cushion leavinga wide median section to the finished diaper-device, preventing any usual: -ve-rfi'oW down the legs of the infant and. providing adequate absorption pro.- tection of said child, its garments and those of othefsholding-it. l

' 2 A diaper device, protector, and retainer, consisting of a substantially rectangular elongated sheet, substantially uniformly wide thin pliabletranslucent fluid-proof material, pro- Vided with a plurality of zones of sturdy reinforcing-sections all of the same fluid-proof material, whereby a very fine soft smooth light weight material for the said sheet may be employed'and yet withstand the strains of repeated use; said sections being made and formed as follows: wide fold-s at each endof said sheet, folded over' upon itself, and folded over and upon the inside of the sheet and finished device, to prevent an unfolded edge from cutting,-and the fold-ed edge from cutting, catching, tearing, and sewed-by a line of stitching to act as such reinforcencent; very narrow folds at each side of the, sheet, throughout its length, stitched down likewise on the inside of the sheet, leaving its outer surface smooth and free from edge-danger, said side "fold sections being also at the four corners ofthe sheet folded in upon nd with the wide endfolds for making four especial reinforcement zones, at said corners; central side reinforcement zones at the median line of the sheetat each side thereof; a pair of extra brace and diaper-retainer strips one at each end of the sheet, lying parallel and below and closely adjaa cent tetheend-foldreinforcements: to act as double reinforcements of both ends, i-and-being formed of doubledmaterial of the same fluid? proof character, and fastened to said s-heetat each end of said'strip; leaving the mainportion of each open and unstitched thereto "for receiving and retainingadjustabl-y a diaper body of the length of the sheet, said extra strips lying on the inner surface of said sheet; a pair of fasten-ing strips atone end of the sheet-,lying in the double corner end and side folds rein.- for-cement where they join, andsecured with.- in said folds by the same stitching that united them to the sheet; a pair'of elastic fastening strips similarly secured to the oppositeend of the sheet, within the said double corner reinforcementfolds thereof; all four of said fastening strip ranging laterally outside "of the borders of said rectangu'larsheet, and equipped with twin registering fastening means; and a soft and absorbent-'material cushion of light color adapted to show flu-id stains through the translucent protectorsheet, and --comprisirig a folded substantially rectangular sheet of such REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 1,144,631 Barle't June 29, 1915 13684946- Smith Sept. 11, 1928 2,292,030 Kraft Aug. 4, 1942 

